Safety razor



mlm!! May 9, 1944.

J. R. AYOTTE SAFETY RAZOR FiledNOv. 20, 1945 Patented May 9, 1944 UNITEDSTATES@ PATENT OFFICE SAFETY RAZORV Joseph Rene Ayotte, Chicago, Ill.Application NovemberZI), 1943, Serial No. 511,151

(ci. .a-e9) 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in razors of the guarded cuttingedge type, more generally known and identified as safety razors, theinvention having for its principal object to provide a razor of theindicated character wherein adjustment of the blade and its cutting edgecan be elfected with relation to the guard, in order to selectivelysecure differentv cutting efliciencies commonly known to be required fordifferent characters of beards, i. e., beards of heavy, light, tough orsoft character, and bythe same token, to lessen shaving irritation andsimilar discomtures.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a razor of the statedcharacter, in which angular adjustment of the blade and its cuttingedge, with relation to the guard, is bodily eifectable, incontradistinction to being adjusted by flexing of the blade body, hence,affording not only greater cutting eiciency, but a greater range ofangular adjustment and avoiding blade breakage due to excessive fiexurethereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a safety razor which,by reason of the mounting of the -blade in the holder and its method ofangular adjustment, permits effectual use of blades of considerablysmaller size than those ordinarily used, without loss of shavingeiciency, plus an important saving of vital construction materials.

The invention also aims to provide a safety razor, the holder of whichis of simple and durable construction, capable of manufacture at a costmaterially less than that of similar types of razors, and with highlydesirable fabricationeconomies.

Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in partpointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains, I have inthe accompanying drawing and in the following detailed description basedthereupon, set out one embodiment of my invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an enlarged side elevation of my improved razor, having aportion of its handle broken away to illustrate the connection of saidhandle to the blade holder.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top edge view of the improved razor, with afragment of the handle thereof partially shown in section and connectedto the clamping plate screw stud.

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevation showing the inner side of the guardplate.

Figure 4 is a similarly enlarged elevation showing the inner side of theclamping plate.

Figure 5 is an enlarged elevation of a single edge type of blade adaptedto be received by the improved blade holder.

`Figure 6 is a transverse section through the blade holder, the bladeand a portion of the handle, the latter being fragmentally illustrated,wherein the cutting blade is so positioned with respect to the guardplate as to .be eicient for shaving or cutting a comparatively light orsoft beard; and

Figure 7 is a similar View wherein the blade is shown adjusted withrelation to the guard plate in a manner to eciently function for theshaving or cutting of heavy and tough beards.

Having more particular reference to the drawing, in connection withwhich like characters of reference will designate corresponding partsthroughout, the improved razor may -be gener ally stated to comprise aguard plate I, a clamp-` ing plate 2, a clamping plate carried screwstud 3 and a handle 4 having a co-aXially disposed internally screwthreaded opening 5 formed in its normally inner end, adapted to receivesaid screw stud 3 therein, at times. the numeral 6, and hereinafter morefully described, is adapted to be received and retained in shavingposition or relationship with respect to the plates I and 2.

The guardplate I is formed, along one side thereof, with a straight edgeguard or skin engaging bar l, the outer surface or face of which ispreferably curved, as shown in Figures 1, 6

and 7, whereby to insure its smooth engagementV with and movement over abearded skin area. The opposite portion of the guard plateis formed witha substantially elliptical shaped outwardly depressed part 8,intermediately of its opposite ends and has ai medially located opening9 formed therein to receive the screw stud 3 therethrough upon operativeassembling of the guard and clamping lplates I and 2, respectively.Guide pin receiving openings I0 are formed in said opposite portion ofthe guard plate in proximity to thel opposite ends of the depressedportion 8.

As will be noted upon reference to Figures 1, 6 and '7 of the drawing,that portion of the guard plate I, provided with or carrying thestraight edge bar l, is angularly disposed with relation to theremaining portion of the plate, i. e., the part formed with theelliptical depression 8. Thus, the inner face of the guard plate isprovided with a longitudinally disposed bearing or fulcruming point IIover and along its normally inner face (see Figure 3). It may also behere noted that the above described angularly extended portion of theguard plate I, now indicated for convenience by the numeral I2, has theblade 6 arranged directly adjacent and parallel to the same and that thecutting edge thereof is adapted to be inwardly spaced with respect tothe outer edge or side of the straight edge ybar 'l parallelism thereto.I

The opposite ends of the blade receiving 4por- A blade, indicated bytion I2 of the guard plate I are preferably notched or recessed, as atI3, to receive cutting blade anchoring pins, hereinafter described,carried by the clamping plate 2.

The clamping plate 2, is of size and shape substantially correspondingto that of the guard plate I. Guide pins or lugs I' are fixedly carriedupon appropriate portions of the normally inner face of said plate andare adapted to be received in or engaged through the guide receivingopenings I provided in the guard plate I. Cutting blade anchoring pinsI3 are xedly carried upon or provided upon appropriate portions of theopposite ends of the clamping plate 2 and are adapted to have thenotched opposite ends III of the cutting blade 6 engaged therewith, asindicated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing, whereupon saidanchoring pins are received in or through the notches or recesses I3formed in the opposite ends of the portion I2 of the guard plate I.Thus, it will be understood and appreciated that the cutting blade 6will be properly positioned and retained against lateral shiftingmovement with relation to the blade carrying portion I2 of the guardplate I, in the manner hereinabove described.

As hereinbefore set forth, the clamping plate 2 xedly carries anintermediately positioned and relatively right angularly disposed screwstud 3 adapted, with assembly of the guard and clamping plates I` and 2,respectively, to be engaged through the opening 9 in the guard plate I,in the manner shown in Figures 6 and 'I of the drawing. When sorelatively engaged, they are locked or secured by turning the handle 4with its co-axially disposed internally screw threaded end opening 5into engagement with the projecting or extended portion of the screwstud 3. Obviously, the inner end of said handle 4 will be moved intopositive engagement or Contact with the adjacent depressed portion 8 ofthe guard plate I and in so doing, the clamping plate 2 will be drawninto positive securing or clamping engagement with relation to the blade6 received between its pins I3' and the angularly disposed bladereceiving portion I2 of the guard plate I.

In order that the guard plate I may be angularly adjusted with relationto the clamping plate 2, the latter plate has a screw threaded openingformed intermediately of its normally outer side portion, as shown bythe Figure 2. A set or adjusting screw I6 is turned into engagement withthis screw threaded opening and has the inner end of its shank portionthrust-engaged with an adjacent portion of the depressed portion 8 ofthe guard plate I. The outer end of the adjusting screw I6, ispreferably headed, as at I'I, to facilitate its engagement and turningby the fingers of the user.

In the use of my improved razor, a cutting blade, such as indicated bythe numeral 6, is engaged between the relatively opposed anchoring pinsI3' on the clamping plate 2. Thereupon, the clamping plate is engagedwith the normally inner face of the guard plate I by passing the screwstud 3 through the opening 9 in the latter, allowing the blade anchoringpins I3 to be received in and through the guide notches or recesses I3in the guard plate I. Positive alignment or registration of the clampingplate 2 with the guard plate I will be insured by engagement of theguide pins or lugs IIJ on the plate I, in and through the openings I0 ofthe clamping plate 2.

With the plates I and 2 thus engaged, it will be seen that the cuttingblade 6 will be arranged adjacent and directly over the inner face ofthe angularly disposed blade receiving portion I2 of the guard plate I.A portion of said blade 6, as will be seen upon reference to Figures 1,6 and 7 of the drawing, will be arranged directly adjacent and upon thefulcrurning or bearing portion II of the guard plate I.

To secure or effect the desired relationship between the cutting edge ofthe blade 6 and the bar 'I of the guard plate I, whereby the blade maybe adjusted for different cutting efficiencies, i. e., for cutting heavyor tough, or light or soft beards, the adjusting screw I6 is turnedeither inwardly or outwardly with respect to the screw threaded openingreceiving it through the clamping plate 2. By turning this adjustingscrew I6 inwardly, it will be seen that that portion of the guard plateI thrust-engaged by its inner end, will be moved outwardly or away fromthe adjacent side or portion of the clamping plate 2, and that inconsequence, the blade receiving portion I2 of the guard plate I will bemoved towards and into proximity to the cutting edge portion of theblade 6, as shown in Figure 6. That is to say, the bearing or fulcrumingpoint II of the guard plate I engaging the adjacentv portion of thecutting blade 6 throughout its length, will permit of rocking movementof the guard plate with relation to the blade 6 and to the clampingplate 2. Adjustment of the adjusting screw I6 thus effected, the razorhandle II is now turned into engagement with the eX- tended or exposedportion of the screw stud 3 until its inner end is brought into bindingor clamping engagement with the adjacent side or portion of the guardplate I, in the manner' illustrated in Figure 6 of the accompanyingdrawing. When so engaged, it will be seen that the clamping plate 2 willbe drawn or moved into positive clamping and retaining engagement withthe blade 6, insuring its retention in the above described adjustedrelation to the blade receiving angularly disposed portion I2 of theguard plate, and also, immovably securing the guard plate I in itsparticularly adjusted position.

To effect adjustment of the cutting blade 6 to a position with relationto the guard plate I for cutting or shaving heavy or tough beards, theadjusting screw I6 is outwardly turned with relation to the clampingplate 2, allowing the adjacent portion of the guard plate I to be movedtoward the inner end of said screw and the corresponding portion of theclamping plate 2. Thus, the angularly disposed blade carrying portion I2of the guard plate I, will be swung or pivoted on the fulcruming pointII in a direction away from the adjacent side of the cutting blade 6until it reaches that position as shown in Figure '7 of the accompanyingdrawing. In such position, the cutting edge of the blade 6 is definitelyor materially spaced with relation to the straight edged guard bar 'I,hence, providing for suicient clearance between the blade and saidportion I2 to insure eiTicient cutting or shaving engagement of thecutting edge of the blade 6 with a beard engaged thereby. Thereupon, therazor handle 4 is turned onto the screw stud 3 until the inner endthereof is brought into bearing or binding engagement with the adjacentportion of the guard plate I, causing the same and the clamping plate 2to be securely and/ or clampingly interengaged. In consequence, thecutting blade 6 will be ixedly retained in its adjusted relationship tothe portion I2 of the guard plate I and said clamping plate 2, and bythe same token, the guard plate will be immovably secured.

Whereas, I have herein described several eX tremities of adjustments ofthe cutting blade G, with relation to its guard plate I, for differentcutting enciencies, it is to be fully understood that various degrees ofintermediate adjustments may be effected, such as conditions orpreference may dictate, thus providing for a multiplicity of beardcutting or shaving efficiencies by the improved razor.

The handle l of my improved razor, may have its surface formed in anydesired manner, whereby to facilitate its rm grasping or holding by auser. In the instant embodiment, this handle is shown to be providedwith a plurality of protuberances, generally indicated by the numeralIt.

If desired, a double edged blade may be employed in lieu of the singleedge type of cutting blade 6, hereinbefore described.

From the foregoing, it will be seen and appreciated by workers skilledin the art, that my improved razor permits of a wide and mostadvantageous range of adjustment of the blade provided therewith.Accordingly, the razor may be selectively adjusted or regulated to mosteffectually cut or shave beards of different physical characteristics,as hereinbefore stated, without danger of skin scraping, cutting or likeinjury or irritation. Moreover, because the blade 6 is capable of minuteor a ne degree of angular adjustment with relation to the bladereceiving portion I2 of the guard plate I, by reason of the selectivemovability of the latter, any particularly desired character of shave(close, medium close, or otherwise) may be satisfactorily secured oreffected with the same.

It is of importance to note that during and throughout any and alladjustments of the outting blade, the body thereof is always atlymaintained. That is, the blade body is not fiexed, and so, affords amaximum of cutting efficiency. It is, at all times, iiatly retainedadjacent the corresponding face of the clamping plate 2, and angularityof adjustment, to provide a particularly desired cutting efciency, isentirely secured by moving or adjusting the guard plate and its blade 4receiving portion toward and from the blade and the cutting edgethereof. Such movability or adjustability of the guard plate I, as aboveindicated, is effected by turning the adjusting screw I6 to any one ofmany predetermined positions with relation to the clamping plate 2 andthe guard plate l. In consequence, greater shaving efliciencies aresecured to or provided a user of the same, and too, breakage of blades,due to excessive or repeated flexings thereof, is eliminated.

Additionally, and of no less importance, is the fact that a saving ofconstruction material is effected in the production of my improved razorand the blade or blades used in connection therewith, this being due tothe size and formation of the razor or holder, and to the size andformation of the blade employed by the improved razor, without in anymanner whatsoever sacricing shaving eiiiciencies.

I claim:

1. In a razor, a guard plate, bearing means on the normally inner faceof said plate intermediately of its opposite sides, a, clamping plateadjacent said inner face rockably engaged by said bearing means, andmeans on one of said plates engaging a portion of the opposite plate forimparting rocking movement to the other plate.

2. In a razor, a guard plate, bearing means on the normally inner faceof said plate intermecliately of its opposite sides, a clamping plateadjacent said inner face rockably engaged by said bearing means, andadjustable means on one of said plates engaging a portion of theopposite plate for imparting rocking movement to the first plate.

3. In a razor, a guard plate, bearing means on the normally inner faceof said plate intermedi ately of its opposite sides, a clamping plateadjacent said inner ace engaging said bearing means, and means on one ofsaid plates engaging a portion of the opposite plate for impartingrocking movement to the first plate.

4. In a razor, a guard plate, contact means on a portion of the normallyinner face of said plate, a clamping plate adjacent said inner face ofthe guard plate fulcrurningly engaged by said contact means, and meanson one of said plates for imparting rocking movement to the rst plate.

5. A razor, including two relatively engageable parts, bearing means onthe normally inner face of one of said parts rockably engaged by aDortion of the remaining part, and means on one of said parts engageablewith a portion of the other for imparting rocking movement to the rstpart.

6. A razor, including two relatively engageable parts, bearing means onthe normally inner face of one of said parts rockably engaged by aportion of the remaining part, a blade disposed between said partshaving one side of the same adjacent said bearing means and engagedalong said side by the remaining part, and means on one of said partsfor rocking the same upon the other part.

7. In a razor, a guard plate having a plane blade receiving portion anda bearing portion adjacent the inner side thereof, a clamping plateengageable with the guard plate over said blade fulcrumingly engagedwith said bearing portion, and means on the clamping plate engageableWith a portion of the guard plate for rocking the latter upon theformer.

8. A razor, including two relatively engageable parts, fulcruming meanson the normally inner face of one of said parts engaged by a portion ofthe remaining part, and means on one of said parts engageable with aportion of the other for imparting rocking movement to the first part.

9. A razor, including two relatively engageable parts, fulcruming meanson the normally inner face of one of said parts engaged by a portion ofthe remaining part, means on one of said parts engageable with a portionof the other for imparting rocking movement to the first part, and meansengaging said parts for securing the same in clamping relationship.

10. A razor, including a guard plate having a blade receiving portionformed thereon and a bearing portion thereon adjacent the inner side ofsaid blade receiving portion, a clamping plate engageable with the guardplate over said blade receiving portion fulcrumingly engaged with saidbearing portion, means on the clamping plate engageable with a portionof the guard plate for rocking the latter upon the former, and meansengaging the guard plate and clamping plate for clampinglyinterconnecting the same.

JOSEPH RENE AYOTTE.

